Security Council: Meetings Coverage

Welcoming what it deemed a nationally led transition process to a just and democratic political system in Yemen but expressing concern over deteriorating relations among political actors, the Security Council today called for a continued commitment in the country to constitutional order, non-violence and a process that included all segments of society.

Security sector reform and speedy, credible elections in Guinea-Bissau were critical for national and international efforts to restore constitutional order following the death of President Malam Bacai Sanhá in January, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative told the Security Council this morning.

The situation between the Palestinians and Israel remained “uncertain and difficult” amid dim prospects for the resumption of direct negotiations despite international urging that exploratory talks continue under Jordanian auspices, the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process told the Security Council today.

Strongly condemning the forcible seizure of power from the democratically elected Government of Mali by some elements of the Malian armed forces — which late last week took control of the country and announced the dissolution of the Government — the Security Council today called for a return to constitutional order and the holding of previously scheduled elections.

A successful transition from peacekeeping to peacebuilding in post-conflict countries required a clear determination of national priorities, delineation of roles of all partners and frequent review, not new responsibilities for peacekeeping missions, the United Nations top peacekeeping official told the Security Council this morning.

To consolidate the “exceptional successes” that Sierra Leone had made in the ten years since its brutal civil war, it was critical that the international community continue its support, focusing in particular on this year’s all-important elections, the Executive Representative of the Secretary-General told the Security Council this morning.

The Security Council this morning extended the authorization of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for one year, until 23 March 2013, emphasizing that its renewed mandate took full account of the transition process and was in full support of the country’s full assumption of leadership and ownership in security, governance and development.

The head of the committee charged with monitoring sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear programme reported today on alleged violations of those measures, as Security Council members warned that Iran’s stonewalling of the United Nations nuclear-watchdog agency regarding the true nature of its nuclear activities had created an “unsustainable and dangerous status quo”.

Expressing its gravest concern at the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in Syria and “profound regret” over the thousands of deaths, the Security Council this morning gave its full support to the efforts of the Joint Special Envoy for the United Nations and the Arab League to bring an immediate end to all violence and human rights violations, secure humanitarian access, facilitate a Syrian-led political transition and other measures.

Recent tragic incidents in Afghanistan must not derail progress or put off deadlines for the transition to Afghan leadership of the security, governance and development of the country, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative told the Security Council this morning.